Radio reporter's murder brings total number of journalists killed since 2003 to 88

Reporters Without Borders today condemned the murder of Koussai Kahdban, an Iraqi journalist with local radio station Al-Bilad, who was shot by gunmen on 22 April in Baghdad. His death brought the number of journalists and media assistants killed in Iraq since the start of the war in March 2003 to 88, of whom 12 have been killed since the beginning of 2006. “This horrible deed once again serves to remind us that Iraq is the world's most dangerous country for journalists,” the press freedom organisation said. “Journalists are also the target of abductions. Reem Zeid, Marwan Khazaal and Salah Jali al-Gharrawi are all still being held hostage. We call on the new prime minister, Jawad Al-Maliki, to do every necessary to ensure that journalists get better protection and that their murderers are found and punished.” Reporters Without Borders added: “We share the grief of Koussai Kahdban's family and employers and we extend our full sympathy to them.” A total of 40 journalists and media assistants have been kidnapped since the start of the war. Five of them (four Iraqis and Enzo Baldoni of Italy) were killed by their abductors. Twenty-six of these kidnappings took place in or near Baghdad.